Allergy Proof Yourself! Posted on 14 April 2014 by Katie Bennett, Nutritional Therapist Dip ONT in Wellbeing Are you sneezing, itching, coughing or suffering with a runny nose? If so, you may be the 1 in 4 people in the UK who experience an allergy to some degree.An allergic reaction happens when the immune system thinks that a substance (such as pollen) is harmful and produces antibodies to fight it off. This causes the release of chemicals in the body which in turn produces some of the common symptoms mentioned above.Why do some of us develop allergies and others don’t? Firstly, it can be to do with our genes, but whether you go onto develop an allergy or not depends on whether you are exposed to a specific allergen, to what extent and at what time in your life.At the moment, it may be hayfever that is making you cough and sneeze. The conventional treatments include antihistamine, eye drops, nasal sprays and steroid creams but food and diet can play a role and help too.Vitamin C has natural anti-histamine properties and magnesium has anti-allergy effects, so stock up on oranges, berries and kiwis for your vitamin C and green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds for your magnesium. Quercetin, a type of antioxidant has natural anti-histamine effects too - apples, onions, citrus fruits, berries and tea will all give you a good ‘hit’ of quercetin! Naturopaths may say that eating honey local to where you live could help as a natural form of immunotherapy.So why not make yourself a spring fruit salad with oranges, apples, berries and kiwis. Sprinkle with some chopped nuts and seeds, serve with natural or Greek yogurt and a spoonful of local honey and you are onto an allergy-proof winner!Wishing you a happy and healthy week!Do you have a good mental wellbeing? Here are 8 relaxation tips by Mind to help you look after your wellbeing...